Chum dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A chum dispensing device comprising a buoyant chum holder and dispenser on a leader line which optionally has a connector on its free end. A preferred chum dispensing device comprises the buoyant chum dispensing device in combination with a carrier sinker therefor.

United States Patent [191 Lang [ Nov. 6, 1973 CHUM DISPENSING DEVICE[76] Inventor: Albert F. Lang, 20 Emerson Ten, Bloomfield, NJ.

[22] Filed: May 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 251,943

' [52] US. Cl. 43/44.99

[51] Int. Cl A0lk 97/02 [58] Field of Search 43/44.99, 42.06, I

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,686,787 8/l%72 Milovich43/44.9

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAI 3,705,465 12/1972 Charney 43/42.06 3,654,724 4/1972Charron.... 43/42.06 2,949,691 8/1960 Johnson 43/55 PrimaryExaminer-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeillAtt0rney-Richard N. Miller et al.

[57] ABSTRACT 14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SHEET 10F 2 PMENIEU IIBY 6I975 CI-IUM DISPENSING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This inventionrelates to a chum dispensing device which is adapted for use in surfacefishing and bottom fishing. More particularly, this device serves as asurface float which releases chum when surface fishing and, incombination with a unique carrier sinker, releases chum at apredetermined distance from the bottom when bottom fishing.

The advantages of using chum, i.e., pieces of ground up fish, as a meansof attracting fish prior to their being caught by net or hook are wellknown; and many devices have been employed to dispense and distributethe chum. For example, the churn pot is widely used by anglers fishingfrom a boat. In addition, fishermen have employed buoyant churndispensing devices as well as chum dispensing sinker devices whensurface fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling. Thus, a wide variety ofchum dispensing devices are presently in use or are available tofishermen.

Although a large number of chum dispensing devices are available, manyof these devices exhibit a number of shortcomings. More specifically,some of the devices are quite complex and, therefore, are difficultandexpensive to manufacture. Also, some of the buoyant chum dispensersrequire special chum pellets and others are subject to loss of the chumreservoir in the event .of separation of the reservoir from the buoyantportion during use. In addition, many of the churn dispensers, bothbuoyant-type and sinker-type, are difficult to control in castingbecause of their size and/or shape. Finally, many of the known devicesdo not effectively dispense the chum in the area of the baited hooks.

In view of the shortcomings discussed above, a number of factors areapparent which must be considered and integrated in order to achieve achum dispensing device that may effectively attract fish in both surfaceand bottom fishing, that may be readily. cast, that will distribute chumin the area of the baited hook, that will be protected against lossduring usage, and that will be simple and efficient to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a chumdispensing device which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.Generally, the described chum dispensing device which is adapted forattachment to a fishing line comprises float means; means for holdingand dispensing chum, said chum-holding-and-dispensing means having anopening at its lower end and being detachably secured to the bottom ofthe float means; means on the bottom of the float means for attachingthe float means 'to a leader line; and a predetermined length of leaderline passing through the opening in the bottom of the means for holdingchum and attached to the means for attaching whereby the float means andmeans for holding chum are interconnected and retained on the leaderline.

A further aspect of the present invention is a chum dispensing devicewhich comprises the buoyant chum dispensing. combination of float meansand chum-holding-and-dispensing means in further combination with asinker which is preferably shaped to form a carrier for the combinedfloat means and chum-holding-and-dispensing means.

The described buoyant chum dispensing device is simple, is compact andcan be efficiently mass produced. Also, the device is easy to charge orload with chum, even in the dark; and the interconnection of the floatmeans and means for holding and dispensing chum on a single,predetermined length of leader line protects the user against separationand/or loss of either component during loading. This sameinterconnection also prevents separation and the consequent loss of thechum reservoir during use. Further, the design of the chum dispenser andinterconnecting leader line of predetermined length together with theattached line connector enables the angler to achieve distribution ofthe chum in the area of the baited hook in top and bottom fishing.

As mentioned, the chum dispensing device can be used in all types offishing, i.e., surface fishing, subsurface fishing andlbottom fishing.More particularly, the buoyant chum dispensing device in combinationwith a light weight sinker can be used'in surface fishing. By addingadditional sinkers or sinker weight, the device may be used to fish atlevels intermediate between the surface and the bottom of the particularbody of water. In combination with a heavy sinker such as the carriersinker, the chum dispensing device is suitable for use in bottomfishing. Finally, by employing a leader line of extended length havingat least two hooks at dif ferent points and a light sinker, the chumdispensing device enables fishermen to fish simultaneously at surfaceand sub-surface levels.

In addition, when the device is made of suitably colored material andfurther includes means for making a rattling sound or other type ofnoise, a device is achieved which attracts fish by appealing to theirsmell, sight-and hearing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Specific embodiments of the inventionhave been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and areshown in the accompanying. drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a chum dispensing device of thepresent invention installed on a fishing line carrying a baited hook andafloat in the water;

FIG. 2 is a'central longitudinal section of thechum dispensing device ofFIG. 1 with the float means disengaged from the chuin holding anddispensing means;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view, partially cut away, of the chum holder anddispenser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation view of the snap connector of FIG.1T;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the chum dispensing device of FIG. 1in combination with a carrier sinker, all installed on a fishing linecarrying a baited hook;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the combination chum dispensingdevice and carrier sinker of FIG. 5 prior to casting; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of the sinker of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to FIG. 1, the chumdispensing device 10 of this invention is connected by snap connector 12to fishing line 16. The chum dispensing device 10 is floating at thesurface of the water 17 above the baited book 18 on leader 20 which. isconnected to snap connector 12. FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged view of snapconnector 12. A leader carrying a conventional light sinker 15 also isconnected to snap connector 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the chum dispensing device comprises a float22, a chum holder and dispenser 24, a length of leader line 26, and asnap connector 12. The chum holder and dispenser 24 is semi-ovoidal inshape and in combination with float 22 forms a generally egg-shapeddevice.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the float 22 is constituted of a hemisphericalshell member 28 and a'circular closure member 30 adhesively securedthereto to form an airtight chamber 32 within shell 28. The chamber 32provides the desired amount of buoyancy to caus'e'the chum dispensingdevice to float at the surfaceof the water 1'7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the chum holder and dispenser 24 comprises anouter shell 33 having a'plurality of chum vents 34 therein and opening36 at its lower end. The chum vents 34 are generally rectangular inshape. The chum holder and dispenser 24 is detachably connected to float22. This detachable connection consists of an external bead 38 locatednear the top of shell 33 and a cooperating or corresponding groove 40 onthe inner surface of the lower flange 42 of float 22. The" flange 42 isthe portion of shell 28 which extends below the plane of closure member30'. The outer leading edge of shell 33 and the inner leading edge offlange 40 are slightly tapered to facilitate connection anddisconnection.

integrally connected to the bottom of closure member 30 at the centerthereof is a protrusion containing eye 44. A predetermined length ofleader line 26 passes through opening 36 in the chum holder anddispenser as shown in FIG. 2 and the upper end thereof is passed througheye 44 and then formed into a knot. In this manner, the float 22 and thechurn holder and dispenser 24 are interconnected on leader line 26.- Thelower end of leader line 26 is knotted to snap connector 12 to insureretention of the buoyant chum dispenser thereon and to facilitateconnection to a fishing line or suitable connecting link, e.g., swivel,on such line. Generally, the leader line will be made of monofilament orbraided nylon or twisted linen.

When the chum dispensing device 10 is used as shown in FIG. 1, itfunctions as a float and at the same time the action of water passingthrough chum vents 34 disintegrates part of the chum 19 and distributesthe particles in the area of the baited hook 18. Some of the chum 19dissolves in the water and forms a chum slick which also lures the fishthrough their keen sense of smell into the area. After the detached chumholder is charged with chum and re-attached to float 22, the chumdispensing device 10 is positioned in the water by dropping in stillfishing or by casting for a short distance.

To further improve its effectiveness, the buoyant churn dispensingdevice may be formed of a colored material such as plastic, preferablycontaining silvercolored speckles,-to provide a lure which visuallyattracts the fish. A bright red color is recognized as beingparticularly advantageous for surface lures. By including pellets orspheres 46 of metal, plastic, ceramic or wood in the airtight hollowchamber 32, the device will produce a rattle due to the action of thewater thereby forming vibrations in the water which also serve to lurefish.

FIGS. and 6 show the buoyant chum dispensing device connected throughsnap connector 12 to eye 48 in flange'49 of carrier sinker 50. As shownin FIGS. 5

- 7, sinker 50 is distinctively shaped and comprises a housing 52 ofbullet shape having an integral handlelike extension 54 at the backside. Extension 54 conand chum holding and dispensing container 24. The

flange 49 is located on top of housing 52 at a point about 180 fromintegral extension 54. Desirably, an opening 58 is provided in thehousing member 52 to facilitate drainage of the water therefrom as it isremoved from the water. 7

In use, the detached chum holder 24 is filled with chum 19 and attachedto float 22, and the chum dispensing device 10 including leader 26 andsnap connector 12 is inserted into the carrier sinker 50 as illustratedin FIG. 6. Preferably, snap connector 12 on leader 26 is secured tosinker 50 through eye 48 before the chum-holding-and-dispensingcontainer 24 is inserted into chamber 53. Sinker 50 in turn is securedby a leader 60 passing through eye 56 'to a common swivel connector 62attached to a fishing line 68, preferably of monofilament nylon. Abaited hook 64 on leader 66 which is preferably of metal when fishingfor fish with sharp teeth also is connected to swivel 62. The chumdispensing device 10 in carrier sinker 50 and the baited hook are castto the desired spot in the water and sinker 50 settles to the bottom 59,taking with it baited hook 64. As sinker 50 settles, the buoyancy offloat 22 and.

the action of the water causes the chum dispensing device 10 to bedisengaged or dislodged so that it floats above thesinker and the baitedhook as shown in FIG. 5. In this manner, chum 19 is dispensed in an areaproximate to the baited hook when bottom fishing.

' In bottom fishing as in top fishing, the chum dispensing devicegenerally will be suitably colored, the color being selected from thegroup of orange, yellow and white depending upon the depth. While red ispreferred for surface fishing, orange is preferred for depths of 10 to20 'feet and yellow and white are preferred for depths greater than 20feet. Again, visual attractiveness to fish may be further enhanced bythe inclusion of silvercolored speckles in the colored materiaLAlso,pellets designed to produce a rattle or vibrations in the'water may beincluded within floatchamber 32.

Although the chum dispensing device 10 has been illustrated'in use inboth surface fishing and bottom fish ing, it should be recognized thatit may also be employed for fishing at intermediate depths. Asmentioned, by properly integrating and adjusting the buoyancy of float22 with the weight of .a line sinker, a fisherman can fish at locationsintermediate between the surface and the bottom. In fact, by using aleader with two or more hooks at different locations and a light sinker,fishing may be done simultaneously at surface and sub-surface levels.

The described chum dispensing device is preferably manufactured from asuitably colored plastic material.

Suitable plastic materials include thermosetting and thermoplasticresins, with the latter being preferred for injection molding.Satisfactory thermoplastic resins include cellulose acetate, celluloseacetate butyrate, nylon, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene,polystyrene, tetrafluorethylene, and vinylidene chloride resins, withpolystyrene being preferred. In manufacturing, shell 28, closure member30 and chum holder and dispenser 24 are cast simultaneously in a threepocket mold using standard injection molding techniques. The design ofchum holder and dispenser 24 facilitates its manufacture using aStationary female die and a movable male die having a stepped shape,thereby achieving an economic manufacturing process.

Sinker 50 is generally made'of metal such as zinc alloy or lead.Preferably, the sinker may be chrome plated to provide durability and tomake it visually more attractive to fish.

It should be emphasized that the combination of the buoyant chumdispenser and the carrier sinker provides a compact unit which can becast without great difficulty and with a fair degree of accuracy.Clearly, such a unit avoids the disadvantages of a separate sinker and aseparate churn dispenser which tend to wobble in the air causingtangling and reduced casting distance. Further, accuracy is promoted bythe bullet-shaped design of housing 52 of sinker 50.

As suggested, the shape and size of float 22, as well as the material ofconstruction, may be varied as desired. For example, float 22 maybesolid rather than hollow and, in solid form, may be made of wood, corkor foamed plastic material, e.g., foamed polystyrene. In addition, asquare, rectangular or polygonal cross section may be substituted forthe circular cross section exemplified. Similarly, the over-all shapemay be changed from the egg shape to a cylindrical, cubic or oblongshape. However, such shapes are more expensive to manufacture becausethey require more material and are more difficult to cast.

Variations are also possible in the shape of the chum vents. Theillustrated vents are of rectangular shape to facilitate moldingandmanufacturing. In fact, the dimensions of the individual rectangularvents as well as the number of vents may be changed without a significant adverse effect on the manufacturing process. However, substitutionof either circular or triangular vents would complicate the moldingprocess somewhat and would, therefore, be less desirable.

In like manner, the design of the sinker is variable. For example, thesinker may be in the shape of a fishhook, with the chum dispenser havinga hollow center section to fit over the upstanding prong of the hook.Alternatively, the carrier sinker/might be in the shape of a-thirnble ora bell. .The latter two shapes obviously would facilitate casting. a

The snap connector likewise may be replaced by other equivalentconventional connectors employed by anglers. This particular type ofconnector is preferred because it is simple to use and inexpensive tomanufacture, yet forms a secure and positive connection.

Furthermore, other equivalent means for attaching the float means to themeans for holding and dispensing chum may be employed. For example, atleast two projections on one of these parts can cooperate with and beinterlocked into a similar number of female cavities on the other part.The male projection will be inserted into a vertical groove or slot inthe other part, pushed upward or downward, and turned in eitherdirection through a horizontal slot to be locked into the offset femalecavity. Other attaching means also will be apparent to those skilled inthe art.

Although not illustrated, optionally, leaders bearing baited hooks couldbe connected directly to the chum dispensing device through eye 44.Alternatively, leaders carrying baited hooks may be attached to the ribsseparating the chum vents.

While the preferred buoyant chum dispensing device 10 is illustratedwith means for attaching, i.e., eye 44, integral with float 22 so thatthe float and dispenser are interconnected on a common leader, the meansfor attaching could be made integral with the dispenser 24. In such anembodiment, means for attaching such as the integral eye would besubstituted for opening 36 in dispenser 24. The resultant chumdispensing device could be employed in combination with the carriersinker. Of course, the design of the sinker obviously would be modifiedto accommodate the relocated integral eye serving as the means forattaching either by increasing the size of opening 58 or by redesigningthe interior of the sinker chamber. It should be recognized thatrelocation of eye 44 to the bottom of dispenser 24 would result in adevice in which the upper float could be lost when in use.

While this invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it is not intended that such embodiments shall belimitations upon the scope of the invention. It will be obvious tothoseskilled in the art that other modifications and variations can bemade and various equivalents substituted therein without departing fromthe principles disclosed.

What is claimed is:

l. A churn dispensing device adapted to be attached to a fishing linewhich comprises float means; means for holding and dispensing chum, saidchum holding and dispensing means having an opening at its lower end andbeing detachably secured to the bottom of said float means; means on thebottom of said float means for attaching said float means to a leaderline; and a predetermined length of leader line passing through saidopening in the bottom of said means for holding chum and attached tosaid means for attaching whereby said float means and said means forholding chum are interconnected and retained on said leader line.

2. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidfloat means is an airtight chamber and said means for holding anddispensing churn is a hollow container having a plurality of openingstherein.

3. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 1 which furtherincludes a line connector secured to the free end of said length ofleader line.

4. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidhollow container is of a semiovoidal shape with a plurality ofrectangular openings therein and the detachable connection consists of abead on said container and a corresponding groove in a lower flange onsaid float means.

5. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 4 which furtherincludes a snap connector secured to the free end of said length ofleader line, said leader line being less than about three feet inlength.

6. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidfloat means and said container are made of a colored plastic material,said colored plastic being white, yellow, orange or red.

7. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 5 which furtherincludes means for producing a the free end of said length of leaderline with chum dispenser attached, said sinker having thereon means forattaching to a fishing line.

10. A churn dispensing device in accordance with claim 9 wherein saidsinker is shaped to form a carrier for the combination of said floatmeans and said chum-holding-and-dispensing means.

11. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 10 wherein saidcombination is egg-shaped and said sinker is bullet-shaped.

12. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 6 which furtherincludes a sinker connected to said snap connector and wherein saidsinker is bulletshaped and adapted to serve as a carrier for thecombination of said float means and said container during the casting ofa fishing line to which said sinker is attached.

13. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 12 which furtherincludes means for producing a rattling sound within said airtightchamber.

14. A chum dispensing device adapted to be attached to a fishing linewhich comprises float means; means for holding and dispensing chumdetachably secured to said float means; means for attaching to a leaderline located on the bottom of the chum-holding-anddispensing means; apredetermined length of leader line attached to the means for attaching;a snap connector secured to the free end of said length of leader line;and a sinker connected to said snap connector, said sinker being shapedto form a carrier for the combination of said float means and saidchum-holdingand-dispensing means.

1. A chum dispensing device adapted to be attached to a fishing linewhich comprises float means; means for holding and dispensing chum, saidchum holding and dispensing means having an opening at its lower end andbeing detachably secured to the bottom of said float means; means on thebottom of said float means for attaching said float means to a leaderline; and a predetermined length of leader line passing through saidopening in the bottom of said means for holding chum and attached tosaid means for attaching whereby said float means and said means forholding chum are interconnected and retained on said leader line.
 2. Achum dispensing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said floatmeans is an airtight chamber and said means for holding and dispensingchum is a hollow container having a plurality of openings therein.
 3. Achum dispensing device in accordance with claim 1 which further includesa line connector secured to the free end of said length of leader line.4. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claIm 2 wherein saidhollow container is of a semi-ovoidal shape with a plurality ofrectangular openings therein and the detachable connection consists of abead on said container and a corresponding groove in a lower flange onsaid float means.
 5. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 4which further includes a snap connector secured to the free end of saidlength of leader line, said leader line being less than about three feetin length.
 6. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 5wherein said float means and said container are made of a coloredplastic material, said colored plastic being white, yellow, orange orred.
 7. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 5 whichfurther includes means for producing a rattling sound within saidairtight chamber.
 8. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 6wherein the plastic material is red and has silver-colored specklestherein.
 9. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 1 whichfurther includes a sinker connected to the free end of said length ofleader line with chum dispenser attached, said sinker having thereonmeans for attaching to a fishing line.
 10. A chum dispensing device inaccordance with claim 9 wherein said sinker is shaped to form a carrierfor the combination of said float means and saidchum-holding-and-dispensing means.
 11. A chum dispensing device inaccordance with claim 10 wherein said combination is egg-shaped and saidsinker is bullet-shaped.
 12. A chum dispensing device in accordance withclaim 6 which further includes a sinker connected to said snap connectorand wherein said sinker is bullet-shaped and adapted to serve as acarrier for the combination of said float means and said containerduring the casting of a fishing line to which said sinker is attached.13. A chum dispensing device in accordance with claim 12 which furtherincludes means for producing a rattling sound within said airtightchamber.
 14. A chum dispensing device adapted to be attached to afishing line which comprises float means; means for holding anddispensing chum detachably secured to said float means; means forattaching to a leader line located on the bottom of thechum-holding-and-dispensing means; a predetermined length of leader lineattached to the means for attaching; a snap connector secured to thefree end of said length of leader line; and a sinker connected to saidsnap connector, said sinker being shaped to form a carrier for thecombination of said float means and said chum-holding-and-dispensingmeans.